Weekend crackdown: Over 57 drunk drivers arrested in Limpopo
A traffic police official inspects a vehicle during an operation.
Image: Road Traffic Management Corporation / Facebook
Law enforcement authorities arrested a large number of drunk drivers over the weekend, continuing their crackdown on the offence.
Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) spokesperson Simon Zwane said: “More than 57 drunk drivers were apprehended by the National Traffic Police along the N1, N11, and R101 Polokwane over the weekend.”
Zwane said since RTMC anticipated high traffic volumes, they deployed more than 30 traffic officers on the busy highway.
“Additionally, tickets were issued to a staggering 163 minibuses operating without licences and discontinued from their journeys,” he said.
High traffic volumes were experienced in Limpopo due to the Zion Christian Church pilgrimage.
“A total of 237 vehicles were discontinued for being unroadworthy and displaying mechanical defects. Five motorists were arrested for attempting to bribe officers, and three motorists were arrested for reckless and negligent driving.”
He added that in Gauteng, 384 minibus drivers were arrested for driving without a driving licence.
Meanwhile, the Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety arrested 23 motorists for drunk driving during Phuza Weekend operations from September 6-7.
The department said the coordinated enforcement across key traffic stations in the province delivered a firm warning that drunk driving would not be tolerated on Limpopo’s roads.
The operations were carried out at Modimolle, Ba-Phalaborwa, Bolobedu, Giyani, Tzaneen, Maruleng, and Lephalale traffic stations.
“In Namakgale, officers recorded an astonishing alcohol level of 1.16mg/L, almost five times the legal limit,” the department said.
“Those arrested included drivers as young as 22 years old and as old as 62, proving that no age group is immune from irresponsible choices behind the wheel.”
The department reminded motorists that road safety is a shared responsibility.
“Don’t drink and drive! These law enforcement operations will remain at high intensity to curb road carnage fuelled by alcohol abuse,” the department said.
thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za